Curran

3,800,000 yen- you might consider this one: http://www.aoijapan.com/img/sword/2016/16586-2.jpg Operating from memory without dragging out the books- The Oei no San Mitsu and maybe Iesuke went through a period where they seem to have been employed or it was worth their time to make a lot of wakizashi with dates on them. I think the concentration was something like 1415 to 1425, with many many times more waks than katana or tachi. They are much more affordable at a fraction of the price of the tachi or katana. I've seen at least 3 (or 4?) waks Morimitsu has done with the grove and that particular horimono at the base. I like them and seriously considered the Aoi Arts one, especially as the $USD rises in strength. Self employment means screwy cash flows, so sometimes I cannot buy what I would like to buy when it becomes available. As it is not likely to correct on my end for a few months, I hope the Aoi Arts one finds a good home. I would welcome it or the Nobuiye on Darcy's site (nihonto.ca) if Santa is feeling very generous.

Amen brother. -Saran Wrap-. Simply driving from NJ to eastern PA over rough Interstate, the vibrations did a number on the kissaki of a blade in shirasaya. Since then..... learned heavenly appreciation for saran wrap and a few other shipping do & don't. As Barry said, Ted Tenold has taken it to a higher art form. Got a sword back from him once and slowed my unpacking of it to learn and appreciate the packing. ________________________________________ Chris: from 20 years of sending things here and there, I would say Germany is my LEAST favorite place to ship. For decades, they have been the most brutal on packages and had several go missing, unable to track, or stuck in customs. This is shared purely as empirical experience. Mailing to Germany has been much worse than other places I would think might be a problem like Russia, China, or the Middle East. In my experience, Germany has been the #1 problem country.

Learning something new. Thanks Brian, Ford, and for the info from John too. I'd seen examples in Auction catalogues, but never read up on it until today.

Thank you Peter. This is of interest to me. If I had known in 2014, I would have made an effort to engage them and see some of the collection- fittings specific. Should I be there again in the next year or two, I will try.

I thought the same too, seeing the "hawk feather" nakago-jiri. The late John Prough did a good write-up on Kaga nakago-jiri for the NYMetro club.

His first link in his first post worked for me. There are blade photos there. I was actually looking for images of the nakago and didn't see he'd posted a link to them in his second post.

The two NBTHK Hozon papers in this thread are from 2016 and 2015. I said before, "These papers are dated 2016, so this may reflect one of those changes I believe came to pass in 2014". I would have attributed the one in Mauro's link as Kaga Kinko, and would have been confident NBTHK would concur prior to 2014. Mauro- thank you for the link.

Yes. I'll leave it at that.

Papers say Kaga Zogan. I'm not particularly accepting of the NBTHK hozon opinions that are dated 2014 onwards, but I would stick with what the papers say over what this particular seller is saying in selling this daisho tsuba set.

As to Kaga Zogan: I can only give my opinion in that it is a variation of a zogan technique. I have seen what I thought to be the same technique on some Umetada works. Is it exactly the same?--> That is really a question for Ford. How old are the papers? NBTHK Green or White papers? I understand why a tsuba like this might be called 'Umetada' at one point and time, and 'Kaga kinko' at another. Different judges at different times.

The listing says 'Kaga Goto'. I've reached the point where my eyesight is not adequate to accurately see the last two characters on the attribution and confirm it. [Edit] One of the quiet wise gents with better eyesight than mine confirmed what what I suspected- The papers say 'Kaga Zogan'. I don't recall seeing 'Kaga Zogan' attribution before. Usually it has been Kaga Kinko or Kaga Goto. These papers are dated 2016, so this may reflect one of those changes I believe came to pass in 2014.

+1 I regret missing that display.

It is hard to believe they are almost extinct in Japan. We have 8 to 12 of them as frequent visitors to our yard.

Joe: thanks for sharing that. It is an exceptionally nice example.

Jean: before Darcy responds, I would note that the Nihonto.com one is from Showa 51 (1976). You know the sentiment on what passed Juyo around that time. Otherwise, I'm neutral on this. I find the Shizu ones particularly confusing, as one I studied years ago I was a little surprised had made Juyo. I admit it had a polish that I thought hackneyed. I learned recently that, with a new polish, it passed Tokubetsu Juyo. Either that new polish was one heck of a job, or I haven't the correct mindset for seeing past the polish of swords. For the most part, I will stick to fittings.

Tsuba #67 on page 53. Reeds and Wild Geese. Tadatoki saku (7th gen) H: 8.35 W: 8.05 Thickness: at rim is 0.45 at seppa is 0.5

Actually very good for a first purchase. Condition appears fine, so don't feel any need to do anything to/with it. The papers appear to be very old (early) NBTHK white papers from 1963. If I have the date wrong, someone feel free to correct my reading. Much of the language is standardized. I think either Danney Massey's site has a good crib-sheet of information and translation of the old NBTHK papers. See http://www.nihontocraft.com/japanese_sword_papers.html Danney's green papers example broken down part by part should help you.

Wah, Thank you. I'd missed that one. I'd seen this: http://www.seiyudo.com/ka-080416.htm That sort of lighting entirely hides the tight jigane that is a large part of the appeal of this smith. It reminds me of jigane seen on a nice soden Kanemitsu. I can barely see it in the photos, but only because I know what I am looking for.

Where? Link? I would like to see. Thank you.

Exactly per Jean's comments, I was cautious to say when the NBTHK goes to Sue Tegai. When they divide depends more on the school than on any date. Paul- you are perfectly understood. I agree. I just think we're discussing NBTHK convention more. That changes too depending on the decade.

Ray, Over the past 15 years I've specialized a bit in Oei blades from various schools. My personal opinion is that I think the Sue attribution would start after Oei, but I'm not certain with Tegai blades. Maybe someone like Tenold can say more definitively.

I concur with Grey.

+1 for Joe's Ikkansai Shigemasa. But then I am biased, since it is the only gendaito smith I've ever owned. WWII smith, well documented, worked at Yasukuni for a while and made those 10 tanto for Admiral Yamamoto. I admired work by his teacher until I saw his own work, with that incredibly nice jigane. My own opinion is he should have made national treasure status too, had he lived longer. Find one of his tanto, if you can. I like mine very much.

I was hoping Guido or one of our other Japanese readers would confirm the amount. I have never heard of a sword going at this pricepoint, though I would prefer it over a 3 line painting or Vancouver RE at present prices.

This takes a turn for the Izakaya. And will end like this classic: